Memorial



Nov. 11 1924. 1,514,619 J. D. KENNEDY MEMORIAL Filed Jan. 23, 1922 2 Shana-Sheet 1 0 Fig- /I4 20 I 3 4 INI/E/VTGR Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN D. KENNEDY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

MEMORIAL.

Application filed. January 23, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that J OHN D. KENNEDY, citizen of the United States of America, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Memorials, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to memorials which, more particularly described, is a knock down structure including various elements for use in connection with funerals and which, when assembled, form an easily transportable box structure. 1 Q

Another object of my invention is in the provision of a novel memorial 'which is easily transportable and which includes Ivarious portions therein, demountable or otherwise, which may be used optionally in the different classes of funerals and for other necessary funeral arrangements.

Another object of my invention is in the provision of a normally box like structure of light weight which, when knocked down, provides optionally a kneeling pad, draped members surrounding the open or cold portion beneath a coffin, and also, an extended flower and wreath stand.

Yet another object of my invention is in the provision of a special means for raising or lowering the drape members which surround and give tothe suspended co-flin a comfortable appearance.

Still further objects of my invention will appear in the followingapplication inconnection with the" annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1, is a perspective of my memorial shown completely assembled for transportation.

Figure 2, is a perspective view showing the structure set up for use as a kneeling element. v

. Figure 3, is adetailed perspective showing the extensible top for raising the drapemembers.

Figure 4, shows the memorial set up as a flower stand and also with the extending auxiliary stand and Figure 5, shows the memorial without the extended flower platform.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown in Figure 1. the completely assembled memorial showing the manner in which it is transportable with all the various elements enclosed therein and formed as portions thereof.

Serial No. 531,016.

flowerand wreath stands and also, a kneeling pad for use in Catholic funerals. My structure has been devised for optional use either :in a. Protestant or Catholic funeral and this result has been accomplished by an easily demountable. structure.

The box like structure shown'in Figure 1 and designated generally as a is placed on the; floor in front of'the suitably suspended coffin, not shown. This box is sub stantially the same length as the coilin.

I will describe my structure as first used in connection with a Catholic funeral when it is set up as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The box .a having been placed in front of the coffin has its top 10 raised. On the inner side of this top are mounted the drape members 11, 'said drape members including the folded side portions 12 and 13 which swing about and enclose the open ends beneath the, coflin thereby giving the coffin a comfortable appearance. These drape portions 'at the end are supported by rods 14 which have suitable hinged engagement with the top. It may be seen that before the lid may be closed these outer ends must be folded inwardly. -An:intermediate portion of the box is shown at 15 and this portion is merely a second f hollow top which is swung back after the lid is raised. This intermediate portion has a function of deepening the memorial in order that it may properly enclose all the elements, and also to increase the attractiveness of its appearance. 'This portion 15 is hinged to the lower portion of the box as is the top. The bottom portion of the box is shown at 16. As is shown in Figure 2 and the one we are now describing, is an upholstered kneeling pad 17 shaped to conform to the lower portion of the box. This kneeling pad is demountable, but as shown in Figure 2 may be placed with its upholstered side up and ill ill)

used as a kneeling pad in the case of a Catholic funeral. A back board 18 is hinged at 19 to the rear of the box like structure and as used in Figure 2 may be swung upwardly to the position shown therein and the demountable crucifix 20 attached thereto. Normally this back board is swung down within the box and the crucifix detached and placed in the bottom thereof.

After using the memorial in the case of a Catholic funeral the kneeling pad 17 is raised, the back board 18 swung down into the bottom of the box, the crucifix detached and the kneeling pad again placed within the box. The open top 15 is swung down upon the lower portion and the drapes or rather the ends 13 and 14 thereof folded inwardly and the top lowered to its normal position. Any suitable clasps not shown may be used for connecting the intermediate portion and top to the bottom portion to form an intact structure.

In Figure 5, I have shown my memorial used in connection with a Protestant funeral wherein the kneeling pad is not used but there being a necessity of giving the suspended coffin a comfortable appearance and also providing some means for supporting the flowers and wreaths. In this figure the top portion is thrown back as formerly described with the end portions folded outwardly and surrounding the open ends of the coffin, not shown. In this instance the intermediate portion 15 is not raised but the kneeling pad is removed from the box and hinged supporting legs 21 are raised to the position shown in Figure 5. The kneeling pad 17 is supported thereon with its upholstered side faced downwardly. This forms a substantial stand for the flowers and wreaths but, however, should the necessity of further supporting members become evident there is provided a drawer 22 in the bottom of the box, said drawer being extended as shown in Figure 4 provides supporting means for a second stand23, which is supported by the leg portions 2%. Spring arms 25 suitably stationed in the base portion 22 provide means for raisingthe stand 23 and holding it in alixed posit-ion. Any means, however, might be provided for this same result. stand 23 provide a more extended flower supporting element and these are folded inwardly when the stand is'lowered into the drawer 22. Similar folded edges 27 are shown on the original stand in Figure 5. To reassemble the knocked down structure Foldable portions 26 on the shown in Figure 4 the stand 23 is collapsed into the drawer 22 which is forced into its normal position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The kneeling pad 17 is then raised, the hinged legs 21 collapsed into the bottom of the box and the pad again placed therein. The end drapes are folded as before and the top lowered.

In Figure 3 I have shown a specific means for extending the top of the box. The reason for this extension of the top arises in the fact that the coffins are not suspended at a uniform height and the result is that it is necessary at times to raise the drapes to touch the bottom edge of the coffin. I have accomplished this result by providing an extensible top as shown, wherein the portion 28 of said top is extensible due to the arms 29 and set screws 30. It may be seen that by raising the portion 28 and locating it by means of set screws a substantial extension or rather, raising of the drapes is provided. I understand, of course, that there are many other simple mechanical means for accomplishing this same result and accordingly do not wish to be limited by the one shown.

What I claim is:

1. In a memorial, a knock down structure including a foldable draping element, a kneeling pad, an optionally demountable flower stand and an auxiliary collapsible stand in connection therewith.

2. In a funeral device, a knock down structure including a top having folding drape members thereon, an intermediate portion, a bottom portion including therein a demountable kneeling pad and collapsible leg portions.

3. In a funeral device, a knock down structure including a top portion having draping elements thereon and a bottom por tion including therein a demountable kneeling pad, means in connection with said kneeling pad for providing a stand member and an auxiliary drawer in said lower portion, said drawer including a collapsible auxiliary stand member therein.

4. In a funeral device, a knock down structure including a top portion,said top portion having a draping element thereon and means in connection therewith for optionally raising or lowering the draping element, a demountable kneeling pad and means in connection therewith for providing a collapsible stand member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN D. KENNEDY. 

